The Moderate Voice - Latest Comments in Isaac Hayes (1942 - 2008)

Re: Isaac Hayes (1942 - 2008)

msblacksilk — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:54:21 -0000

Isaac was one of the most extraordinary musicans of our time.
It is clear to all of us who love Isaac Hayes, and we number in millions, that his spirit will never die. His sound will continue to enrapture generation after generation. The fact is that when Isaac sang a song, the song remained sung. His infectious grooves, his vocal nuances became fixed in our heads.
Isaac's songs were filled were infused with something greater than passing pleasure, genuine joy. His music was God-given, God inspired and God-blessed.
Good-by Isaac, God bless and may you rest in peace.

Re: Isaac Hayes (1942 - 2008)

msblacksilk — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:54:20 -0000

Isaac you will missed greatly but I know that you are going rise in the resurrection and return to this Earth with Christ very soon.
"Precious in the sight of the Eternal is the death of his saints" (Psalms 116:15). When a saint dies in faith, it is certain that God has another family member soon to be resurrected.

Re: Isaac Hayes (1942 - 2008)

Ricorun — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:42:33 -0000

Long ago when I was in college I worked as a cook in a restaurant. One night the manager came into the kitchen with a guy that looked like he had just walked off the set of Shaft -- shin-length raccoon coat, wide-brimmed hat, heavy medallions and flashy sunglasses. He looked like Isaac Hayes dressed like a pimp. And he was huge: 6'6" and easily 350 lbs. He was to be our new chef.

The place was like working in the league of nations, but I had never seen anything like Larry before. Not in real life anyway. He was a bit intimidating. Once you got to know him though, it turned out he had a heart of gold. A gentle giant. I learned a lot from him -- about a lot of things. About cooking, about managing people, and about urban black culture. We became friends, and we'd go out drinking sometimes. And when the regular bars closed down sometimes he'd take me to some after-hours clubs. Most of the time I was the only white guy in the place. But hey, I was there with Larry, so it was cool. Most of the time.

One night when I wasn't with him he was in one of those places and had a conversation with God. Apparently it was a hell of a conversation, because from that moment he never drank again, never smoked, and never toked. Soon thereafter he started studying to become a minister. It didn't change our relationship much. Instead of going to a bar we'd sit around talking about God. Eventually he got a gig preaching, so I'd go down occasionally and listen to him. That too was a completely different experience. I had never been in a black church before, and I was again the only white guy in the place. But people were very friendly, and it was exciting! It's hard to imagine anyone coming out of a place like that not moved.

I presume everyone has people in their lives who change the direction of it, or who change the way you think about things. Larry was definitely one of those people to me. And every time I think about Isaac Hayes I think about Larry. God rest your soul, Isaac. And I hope you're doing well, Larry.

Re: Isaac Hayes (1942 - 2008)

elrod — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:36:00 -0000

Rest in peace, Isaac. There is simply no greater moment of musical creation in the history of this country than that which occurred at Stax Studios in Memphis in the mid to late 1960s. What's amazing about it all was the interracial message of unity that Stax projected, with the MGs at its heart. Isaac Hayes really was Hot Buttered Soul.